Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-03-18
SENATOR EDuUNDS rALK,y
To Washington Reporter about the
WOrk Of Congress, the Administrator,
mud the Outlook for ISSS.

"
Work Of Congress, the Administration,
mud the Outlook fer ISSS.
Senator Edmunds has been talking with
reporter Of the Evening Star ON va
rious subjects. including the work Of Con
press. Cleveland's administration, and poll
tics in general. The Vermont senator
thinks that every one who has the welfare
Of the country at heart must feel disap
pnintment at the condition in which public
business was left by Congress, and he makes
a special point Of the failure Of the House
of Representatives where such legislation
must originate, to send to the Senate any
revenue measure II am in favor" he
said, "of reducing the revenue of the gov
eminent, not, perhaps, to the extent that
some gentlemen believe would be proper,
but to IA considerable extent
Mr. Edmunds called attention to the trick
of setting back the clock Of the Senate at
the hour of adjournment, and declared
that, although not known 10y the President,
it was 1910 o'clock on March when Mr..
Cleveland signed the District Of Columbia
appropriation bill. ''lf the question should
be raised, says the senator and the mat
| ter taken to court, it would certainly be de
| cided that the signature was illegal, and
/ the bill could not be a law" Mr. Edmunds
does not believe in dealing with important
| legislation in that sort of way, and if his
advice had been followed the Senate would
not have given it its sanction, letting the
House take the responsibility for an extra
session to provide for the maintenance of
the government.
Speaking of the Democratic adminstra-
ton, he said "ln all fTankness | must say
| don't think it has been success, what
ever the desires and intentions of those ut
the head of affairs may have been. 1t was
impossible for them to follow out a success
full policy with the weight of a party 50
composed upon their shoulders. With such
a broad field of administration, the Presi-
dent must have others to rely ON for assist
ance but placing reliance Oh his party
must inevitably lead him astray. With the
tremendous pressure of the party behind
him he has been forced into numerous err
rors. All Presidents, perhaps, have made
some bad appointments, but none, | think
have been betrayed as often as he has. In a
party composed of men who honestly be
lieve that the interests of the country de
mand that they should have control OF
affairs do not question their honesty in
this opinion-who think that the end justi
fies the means, the party workers, the mel
who have worked in the wards and BULLDOG
ed and stuffed ballot boxes and claim tn,
rewards are not suitable to perform pub
lie trust. A large percentage of Mr.. Cleve
lands appOintees have been either incom
petent or improper persons or, being com
petent, have been rascals Some of thes,
men he has selected without knowing any
thing about them others he has appointe,
upon the Endorsement of members of Con
gress of his own party, who have not hes
tated to betray his confidence. With SOM
work a table of appointments could III
made, which would show an immense pro
portion of rascals. | do not say that i
would amount to a ma jority but certainl,
none of Mr.. Cleveland's predecessors wer
as often betrayed But there are Republi
cans still in office, and think we shout,
! give him credit for what he has done. A
in the case of the preacher who was goo
four days in the week and went off on
lark for two days, we would give him cred
it for the good there is in him"
Mr.. Edmunds has no doubt that the Den
ocrats will renominate Mr.. Cleveland, b,
r cause there is no one else they could ru
with any chance of success. "They car
not nominate any one else, says the sena
tor, "and hope to succeed
"Would Mr.. Cleveland hold the Republ
can votes he got before - Mr.. Edmund
"As between two evils they would vol
for him Though he has not lived up Ell
tirely to what they understood to be h
promises, they may not see how he coul
have done better with his party and the
t may not see where they will find anothe
e who would do as we'll "
'What do you think of the chances
the Republican party in 1888 2"
Believing that the Republican part
represents the best principles of govern
o ment, and having confidence in the intel
= gence of the people and their ability to iii
K criminate, expect the Republicans to
II restored to power"
'That depends on the nominee, does
= not ~
v Eyes but having confidence in the wi
l. dom of my party, l think they are sure
O nominate good man."
Mr.. Edmunds declined to talk about vi
= were likely to be in the race for the Repu
u lican nomination next year, saying in IA
l. swer to the reporters question, MAJ
n things may happen within two years.